An automatic vending machine with a stabilizing support for stocked items of merchandise includes a cabinet, a driving member secured in the cabinet, a helical element, and a pressing member secured to the cabinet. The cabinet includes a bottom plate. The helical element is secured to the driving member and moveable by the driving member. The pressing member is located within the coils of the helical element and runs the length of the helical element to support items of merchandise and reliably deliver an item of merchandise when bought.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An automatic vending machine comprising: a cabinet comprising a bottom plate and a mounting portion; the mounting portion defining two securing holes; a driving member secured to the cabinet; a helical element secured to the driving member and being moveable when driven by the driving member; and a pressing member secured to the cabinet and comprising a first securing portion and a second securing portion engaged with the two securing holes; the second securing portion comprising a first extending post, a second extending post extending from the first extending post, and a third extending post extending from the second extending post; the third extending post abutting the second extending post; and a first clipping portion being defined by the second extending post and the third extending post; wherein the pressing member is located in an interior of the helical element and extends through the helical element from a helical element first end to a helical element second end.
2. The automatic vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the helical element is rotatable about the pressing member.
3. The automatic vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the pressing member further comprises a main post, the first securing portion extends from a main post first end, and the second securing portion extends from a main post second end; and the first securing portion is secured to the driving member, and the second securing portion is secured to the cabinet.
4. The automatic vending machine of claim 3 , wherein the driving member comprises a rotating shaft, and the first securing portion is secured to the rotating shaft.
5. The automatic vending machine of claim 3 , wherein the mounting portion is connected to the bottom plate and opposite to the driving member, and the second securing portion is secured to the mounting portion.
6. The automatic vending machine of claim 5 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a first flange substantially parallel to the bottom plate and a second flange substantially perpendicular to the first flange; and the two securing holes are defined in the second flange.
7. The automatic vending machine of claim 1 , wherein the second securing portion further comprises a fourth extending post extending from the third extending post and a fifth extending post substantially perpendicularly extending from the fourth extending post; and the second clipping portion extends from the fifth extending post.
8. The automatic vending machine of claim 7 , wherein the third extending post is substantially parallel to the fifth extending post and perpendicular to the fourth extending post.
9. An automatic vending machine comprising: a cabinet comprising a bottom plate and a rear plate substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate; a mounting portion located on the bottom plate and opposite to the rear plate; the mounting portion defining two securing holes; a driving member secured to the rear plate; a helical element secured to the driving member and being moveable when driven by the driving member; and a pressing member extending through the helical element and pressing on the helical element; the pressing member comprising a first securing portion engaged with the driving member and a second securing portion engaged with the mounting portion; the second securing portion comprising a first clipping portion and a second clipping portion; the first clipping portion being defined by two abutting extending posts extending from the pressing member and engaged in one securing hole, and the second clipping portion being located on a free end of the second securing portion and engaged in another securing hole.
10. The automatic vending machine of claim 9 , wherein the helical element is rotatable about the pressing member.
11. The automatic vending machine of claim 9 , wherein the pressing member comprises a main post located in an interior of the helical element, and the main post is substantially parallel to the bottom plate.
12. The automatic vending machine of claim 11 , wherein the first securing portion extends from a main post first end, and the second securing portion extends from a main post second end.
13. The automatic vending machine of claim 12 , wherein the driving member comprises a rotating shaft, and the first securing portion is secured to the rotating shaft.
14. The automatic vending machine of claim 12 , wherein the mounting portion comprises a first flange substantially parallel to the bottom plate and a second flange substantially perpendicular to the first flange; and the two securing holes being defined in the second flange.
15. The automatic vending machine of claim 11 , wherein the second securing portion comprises a first extending post extending from the main post, a second extending post extending from the first extending post, and a third extending post extending from the second extending post; the third extending post abut the second extending post, and the first clipping portion is defined by the second extending post and the third extending post.
16. The automatic vending machine of claim 15 , wherein the second securing portion further comprises a fourth extending post extending from the third extending post and a fifth extending post substantially perpendicularly extending from the fourth extending post; the second clipping portion extends from the fifth extending post.
17. The automatic vending machine of claim 16 , wherein the third extending post is substantially parallel to the fifth extending post and perpendicular to the fourth extending post.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 28, 2013
November 17, 2015
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